The nomination file of Arequipa region's Wititi dance for the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is well done and fulfills all the conditions necessary for such appointment on December 2-3.
Remarks were made by Soledad Mujica, Director of Intangible Heritage at the Ministry of Culture, who highlighted the completion of the file after an extensive research and historical collection of such expression.
“The Wititi dance of the Colca Valley in Arequipa should be included on the list; the UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage consisting of 24 member states is convening in Namibia and will examine the nominations for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity,” she pointed out.
Mujica says seven expressions are already on the list and is confident the Wititi dance will be listed as well, since the assessing body issued a favorable report.
Precisely yesterday, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) announced it has chosen 19 out of the 35 requests to complete the final approval process of the Committee, which will convene from Monday Nov 30 to Friday Dec 4 in Windhoek, Namibia.
The Wititi traditional dance is one of the most suggestive and widespread cultural manifestations originated in the Colca Valley.
It is performed by couples during main religious festivities. Thus, the emblematic performance includes social and ritual symbolism linked to the agricultural cycle and courtship between young people.
Wititi represents the beginning of social life when youngsters establish and strengthen relationships and thus are recognized as adults.
(END) JCR/MAO/RMB/MVB
Published: 11/24/2015